Embracing Change
Donna Burkholder, Board of Trustees Chair
Summertime is upon us or, before spell check, I would have said “Simmertime”, which seems most appropriate for San Antonio. For many of us, our schedules change taking advantage of the longer days to avoid the heat during the middle of the day, or we may be organizing new daycare during summer break and planning summer vacations. Unity Church of San Antonio has been in the midst of change as we walk our path to a new minister. I am reminded of a book by Mac Anderson and Tom Feltenstein, Change is Good…You Go First. They write about ways to encourage people to embrace change. Our last meeting with Rev. Ron Fritts considered changing our Mission, Vision, and Values. That’s huge, but this loving, welcoming, transforming and empowering community came together to discern who we are and what we envision with such heartfelt love and harmony that the result was breathtaking. For UCSA it was WE Go First!
Based on feedback from the Annual Membership meeting, you will see a change on our calendar and in the newsletter. In our desire to be more transparent, we are publishing an abbreviated version of our financial statement to more specifically detail our sources of income and expenses. Of particular note is the line item for Tithes. In case you weren’t aware, Unity is unique in that the local churches are not supported financially by Unity corporate entities and, instead, they tithe to them. UCSA tithes monthly to Unity Worldwide Ministries, Unity South Central Region, Silent Unity, and THRU Project (via a donation of office space). Recently the Board approved a new committee, CommUNITY Giving Committee, to recommend local, small non-profits as recipients of part of our overall 10% monthly tithe. The committee has already recommended two agencies that have been approved by the Board. There will be quarterly reports to the community about the recipients. The Committee welcomes recommendations for consideration.
Some things aren’t changing at all during the summer. We still have the many serving hearts creating a beautiful Sunday Celebration as we minister to one another during this transformation to a new minister. Consider all the sacred service needed just for Sundays—Ushers, Sanctuary support, Bookstore, Multi-media, Celebration hosts, Facilities, Prayer Chaplains, Welcome Table, Youth Ministry, Social Hosts. If you are part of any of these groups, we gratefully acknowledge your heart of service. All of these sacred service opportunities are open to anyone who feels called to serve. Just let us know and we’ll get you connected!
Of course, the change we are all awaiting is our next minister finding his/her way to us. The Board has completed the Ministry Information Packet that will allow UWM to post our open minister position. Here is the Board’s invitation to apply:
“Are you ready to dance in the Truth of who you are? If so, Unity of San Antonio could be your new spiritual home. We seek a heart-centered, joyful, committed spiritual leader who shares our vision of Oneness, tradition of affirmative prayer, and positive approach to ever-expanding abundance.
Grounded in Unity principles, we are a non-traditional, progressive community – welcoming all and honoring each person’s divine identity. We are a loving, diverse community who supports one another’s spiritual growth through study, meditation, and celebration. We minister to one another through volunteer-led sacred service teams, including a strong prayer chaplain program. We are also blessed with an exceptional music team and vibrant youth ministry
Does this sound inviting and consistent with your path? Do you envision the next steps in your transformational journey as joining a love-filled, joyous community of Truth-seekers? If your answer is yes, contact us and let’s explore the possibilities.”
The position should be posted by next week. We are contacting members to serve on the Minister Search Team, or as Rev. Marygrace Sorensen suggested, our Minister Magnet Team. It worked for Unity Church of Hills! We have no timeline for receiving applications, only holding to the knowledge that the right person will show up at the right time.
We joyfully accept change as we remember to dance in the Truth of who we are. This modified affirmation from Rev. Linda’s book Divine Audacity about faith says it all:
“We live in faith, perceive the good, trust all is well, and expect the best.”
